De La Salle movie: 'When the Game Stands Tall' trailer released

By Tony Hicksthicks@bayareanewsgroup.com

Posted:
04/11/2014 08:58:05 AM PDT

Updated:
04/11/2014 11:41:04 AM PDT

Mandalay Pictures has released the first trailer for "When the Game Stands Tall," the film adaptation of former Contra Costa Times columnist Neil Hayes' 2003 book about coach Bob Ladouceur and Concord's record-breaking De La Salle football program.

Directed by Thomas Carter, the film follows the now-retired Ladouceur -- played by Jim Caviezel -- through the ups and downs of leading the Spartans through the team's 151-game winning streak that ran from 1992 to 2003 and shattered all records for any American sport.

"I'm really stoked," says Bob Larson, a former Bay Area News Group photographer who took 46 pictures for the book, including the cover shot of former De La Salle and now Oakland Raiders running back Maurice Jones-Drew (who has a cameo in the film).

Producers hired Larson to do research and provide photos to costume and set designers. Six of Larson's shots appear at the film's end.

"They kept me busy -- it was fun," says Larson. "I saw a sneak peak and it sent chills up my spine. The second time I saw it, it brought tears to my eyes."

The film, which also stars Alexander Ludwig, Michael Chiklis and Laura Dern, is scheduled for an Aug. 22 release. It was filmed mostly in New Orleans, though some scenes were shot in the Easy Bay.